NDIS gives rise to increased demand for speech pathology Help on the way
FORECASTS for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to create as many as 2000 jobs in Townsville are starting to be realised with the steady growth of services funded under the program.
One business to benefit is Coastal Kids Speech Pathology which has just expanded to new leased premises at Hyde Park.
“The growth in speech pathology in the last two years has been quite large with the NDIS starting,” Coastal Kids Speech Pathology owner Mel- anie von Bertouch said. “It’s been good for business and good for local kids by providing the support they need.”
Townsville was among the first locations in Australia where the NDIS was launched in July last year.
Ms von Bertouch began working privately as a speech pathologist in 2010 and has been working in rooms in a medical centre in North Ward.
Two other speech pathologists have joined her and she is advertising for another to work in their new Hyde Park centre.
“Really, we just got too big,” Ms von Bertouch said.
“I didn’t have any more room for growth. The idea of the new location is to meet demand for services.”
The business has leased a 150sq m office on a five- year term in 5- 7 Martinez Avenue through Colliers International.
Colliers agent Shaun McLaren said the site was a great fit for Coastal Kids Speech Pathology in an area with other health- related business- es and a child care centre next door. Ms von Bertouch said the central location and the neat and tidy property were drawcards.
“It has a comfortable place for families to wait and a nice place for kids to play,” Ms von Bertouch said.
Her new office was around double the size of her previous location.
The property has three consultation rooms, a reception and play area, a meeting room and further space where another consultation room can be added.